Thread: General Question and Answer Database Idea

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

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Even after that's done we will still have the same number of those type posts because if people are either lazy and don't want to look, well, their not going to so are we going to point them to the new reference thread or will we stop answerering them or just continue as usual and answer them?

Several times I have given (and sought) a quick answer and also provided a link to a more detailed existing thread. A nice existing "standard reference/FAQ" thread would allow both approaches to be used simultaneously. It should be imminently workable based sorta' on models that already exist.

Of course, I have no idea how complicated it would be in practice.

EDIT: I'd be willing to help along those lines, but not sure how I could...

Even if you do as you suggest. People will still just put it out in an open thread. You have already provided them with the answer, they will just want you to link it for them, and what about those who are even new to using a forum?

Phil

Originally Posted by floridaboy

Even if you do as you suggest. People will still just put it out in an open thread. You have already provided them with the answer, they will just want you to link it for them, and what about those who are even new to using a forum?

Phil

I'm thinking that providing a more detailed link might save a lot of repetitive typing. Much easier to make a link than repeat everything over-and-over. This way the link exists so that you can link it in the first place. Save the direct answers for when the new guys "stumble" or bring up a new point.

For the new users, direct them to a "sticky" (not me, thanks!) that explains the use of the Q&A database.

Good point, then the problem becomes amassing this info. Alot of stuff is around here, putting it all in one place maybe the prob.

Phil

I would not use an approach that linked to old threads.
Our recent crash has shown the risk of that
An entirely new "sticky" thread, much like B&B has, is called for. This should also be made into a PDF. There really needs to be some video content made. Just a bunch of short clips showing 1. How to lap and prep a hone 2. Evaluating your razor before honing. 3. The different honing strokes 4 The various sharpness tests 4. How to apply tape to the spine etc.

If it is possible to integrate video into a PDF I do not know but it would be nice.

Tre Randy, I understand what you mean. I just don't know if that can happen either, Video would be helpful, but i have no clue as to haw to hook it to PDF.

Phil

Here's the problem I see: Everyone always thinks things like this are a good idea so long as someone else is doing the work. Everyone agrees on the value of the reference resource, but no one wants to volunteer to create it. So, it never gets done.

I proposed this a LOOOONG time ago and it didn't seem to be something people liked, but I've seen it work on other forums and so I'll propose it again... it goes something like this...

Suppose there is a sticky thread... let's call it "Information Every Newbie Should Know", for example

Then, suppose someone posts a technique, how-to, or whatever. If other readers like it and think it should go into the sticky, they nominate the post to be included in the sticky. Discussion ensues, the information is tweaked to incorporate the suggestions. When there's general agreement that the info is correct and complete, the final version of the post is moved to the sticky thread.

And then someone starts a new thread with another good tid-bit and it's nominated, re-worked, accepted and moved to the sticky.

And another, and another, etc., etc.

Eventually the sticky will get large and unwieldy... at that point someone volunteers to take the information and rewrite it as a FAQ and repost it in the sticky, deleting all the other posts.

And then the process continues, building additional info from good posts which get added to the FAQ/sticky, eventually getting incorporated/consolidated into the FAQ, etc

To make this work,

1. someone has to own/administer the sticky.
2. Eventually, someone has to volunteer to consolidate all the posts into a FAQ.

Otherwise, it's pretty self sustaining.

As to the reliability of threads (in light of the recent DB crash)... that was pretty much an unusual occurrence. We won't likely be a victim of that again since we'll be making redundant backups via two different paths and repositories.

As to video...

• it's very bandwidth intensive... if you want a lot of video clips, then they need to be stored on a server capable handling that type of content.
• The video can be linked to the post/thread/faq/whatever but keep in mind it will only be viewable on-line... those that like to print things for reference won't get the video.
• Also, bear in mind that about 1/3rd of our members access via dialup... they will not be happy if you require the loading of video files every time they look at something... just like they don't want to wait for full size attachments to load every time they look at a thread.

So these issues would have to be worked out in a way that reaches a decent compromise.

just my $.02